A Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) Weight Loss Surgery Journey

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Two Years & 255lbs Later…

Today I’m “celebrating” two years since I had weight loss surgery and about 2 1/2 years since I started the journey to a healthier and happier life. It’s funny to think about when I started this process, knowing I would have to go through a six month supervised diet prior to surgery, feeling like it would never happen. It felt like the six months would never end – and here I am years later wondering where the time went.

I can’t describe with words how much my life has changed for the better since this whole thing started. Every time I attend a local support group meeting, I make the joke that I would have surgery annually if I had to – like renewing a lease. While I say that as a joke, it really is the truth.

Gone are the days of being in constant physical pain – and feeling miserable. Gone are the days of worrying about breaking chairs, public ridicule, ill-fitting online order-only clothing, two seats on an airplane, social anxiety, and generally watching life pass me by as a bystander. I feel like I’m living, I feel like I’m alive.

In support group meeting, people often ask me what he toughest part has been. For me, it has never been physical… but mostly the mental and emotional changes I’ve been through in the past 2 1/2 years. The relationships you have with people can change for the better (or worse) when you make a complete overhaul in your life. What I’ve learned is that I needed to be a bit more “selfish” and make myself a priority if I wanted to get to a healthier place and that’s exactly what I’ve done. I make no apologies!

If I had to do it over, I would do almost everything the same. I’m glad I went “hardcore” and was strict with my eating habits for as long as I could go. Losing as much weight pre-op was key. I’m forever grateful that I started therapy during the supervised diet. Attending support group meetings regularly has been integral. Taking pictures along the way really helps in those times when it feels like you’ve only moved an inch, but in reality you’ve gone a mile.

The best advice I can give to anyone starting this process is for you to practice both accountability and personal responsibility. Accept that poor habits have gotten you to where you are, but turning it around is possible. Track. your. damn. food/drink. WEIGH/MEASURE EVERYTHING. Too often, I hear/read about people magically gaining weight or “stalling” in their weight loss… wondering how this is happening. If it’s happening…. you aren’t being honest with yourself about how much you are eating and drinking – plain and simple. No more excuses, no more denial. That’s the best way I can summarize!

What’s next for me? Well, I’m very excited to be finishing the plastic surgery process in just two weeks with a thigh lift and slight revision to my lower body lift – yay! In just over six weeks, I’m turn 30!! I’m very excited about it, believe it or not, because I truly feel as though I’ve gotten better with age! 🙂 I’ll be updating here and there after surgery – wish me luck! 🙂

12 thoughts on “Two Years & 255lbs Later…”

You are and have been someone I have looked to for inspiration throughout my journey. You are incredible! I am 9 months after RNY 141lbs lost. I to would do this all again in a heartbeat.
Keep up the great work.

Hey there! Unfortunately my shoe size did not change…and as someone with big feet for a woman, I was really hoping it would!

Both my insurance and the medical group I had surgery through required a six month supervised diet. I had an appointment each month with a dietician and doctor to check in..
had to attend support group meetings, classes, etc. During this time, I was required to change a lot.of behaviors and lose 44 lbs. A lot of insurance companies require this kind of pre op program, but not all of them do!

Well the diet was a bit different after surgery. I limited carbs even more and really stuck to mostly protein for awhile. Then, slowly started adding in green beans or broccoli as my stomach capacity grew. Some of my old posts have examples of what I ate if you want to check them out! 🙂